Damyang is located way out of the tourists’ radar. It seems to be in the middle of nowhere so much that some call their trip to Damyang ‘off-the-beaten’ track. Travellers usually don’t include Damyang as part of the itinerary. We too, initially.
Until we by chance, had to transfer at the metropolitan city, Gwangju where it only takes 30 minutes to reach the beautiful bamboo forest in Damyang. We stored our baggage at Gwangju Bus Terminal (U-Square) and jumped on the bus towards Damyang.
Overview
- Metasequoia-lined Road (메타세쿼이아 가로수길)
- River Protection Woods (Gwanbangjerim 관방제림)
- Bamboo Forest (Juknokwon 죽녹원)
- What to do in Damyang Bamboo Forest?
- What to eat in Damyang?
- Getting to Damyang
3 places to spend half a day in Damyang
1. Metasequoia-lined Road (메타세쿼이아 가로수길)
This path quite may remind you of the legendary road in Nami Island near Seoul. However, this 8.5 km long boulevard is one of the nation’s most popular driving routes. The neat line-up of the tall trees attracts family and couples over for photoshoots regardless of the season.
Entrance is 2,000 won for adult.
2. River Protection Woods (Gwanbangjerim 관방제림)
As the name suggests, this forest is first planted in order to curb the annual floodings. The first trees were planted as early as 1648 to protect the villages at that time. In 1984, 30,000 workers were further mobilised to improve upon the protection bank extending up to 1.2km.
The lineup of trees along the riverbank creates a superb landscape especially during Autumn where the leaves turn into red and yellow hues. Stepping stones are in place to cross the river where you can get an amazing landscape photo.
Entrance is free. You wouldn’t need more than 30 minutes at gwanbangjerim.
3. Bamboo Forest (Juknokwon 죽녹원)
This is what Damyang is known for – the bamboo forest.
The things to see and do inside the forest is well-worth your money. Just breathing among the bamboo trees bring about many benefits such as relieving stress, relaxing muscles and improving brain functions (wow!) but there are more things to do than just breathing obviously.
Entrance is 3,000 won for adult.
What to do in Damyang Bamboo Forest?
- Themed Trails
While the trails could look like they are just regular trails that you had to embark on to admire the bamboo trees, each trail is well-branded. There is a total of 8 trails with different themes.
In the bamboo forest, you can look forward to walking through a Good Luck Road where a k-drama is filmed, a Philosopher’s Road where you can reflect on your life and revitalise your body and mind, a Scholar’s Road that is suited for a student preparing for an examination or job application as it is said to give you inspiration. If you’re visiting with your other half, there is a Lovers’ Lane where you can enjoy a waterfall and take a rest under a bamboo pavilion.
- Lee Lee Nam Art Center
This digital gallery features the work of media artist Lee Lee Nam, presenting videos of Damyang bamboos and reinterpretations of famous paintings. The gallery also includes interactive works that encourage visitors’ participation.
- Bamboo Liquor Foot Bath
The foot bath claims to get rid of feet odours, anti-inflammatory, promotes blood circulation and eliminates fatigue. It only takes 15 minutes and 3,000 won so even if it’s just for an experience, it is an interesting one.
- Observatory & Cafe
From the entrance, you would be able to spot the two-storey traditional Korean house, Hanok. It is also known as the Bonghwangru, translating to Pheonix City. The first floor serves as a cafe while the second floor is used as an observatory and have a small photography display of life in Damyang in the olden days.
Overall, you would need about 2-3 hours inside the bamboo forest.
What to eat in Damyang?
- Noodles (guksu 국수)
Each region has its representative food in Korea and in Damyang, it’s noodles. Damyang is associated with noodles restaurants, which an entire alley dedicated to noodles. Although they would probably all sell similar offerings: noodles in anchovies soup or noodles mixed with spicy sauce.
Jinu Ne House Noodles 진우네집국수
Address
211-34 Gaeksa-ri, Damyang-eup, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Google Maps | Naver Map
- Bamboo Shoot Bread (Chuk Sun Bbang 죽순빵)
A patented snack by a Damyang native who first created the Bamboo Shoot Bread made with real bamboo shoot and 100% Korean brown rice. The bite-size bread is perfect in between meals.
Chuk Sun Bbang 죽순빵
Address
82F2+9R Damyang-gun, 전라남도 South Korea / 전남 담양군 담양읍 학동리 578-4
Google Maps | Naver Map
- Grilled short rib patties (Tteok Galbi 떡갈비)
It is said that tteok galbi originated from this region. Tteok galbi refers to beef that was minced, seasoned and often grilled over charcoal to retain the juiciness – similar to a hamburger patty.
Seungil Ribs 승일식당
Address
South Korea, Jeollanam-do, Damyang-gun, Damyang-eup, 중앙로 98-1
Google Maps | Naver Map
Getting to Damyang
From Gwangju
The easiest way is to board from the Gwangju Bus Terminal where there is a ticketing counter – let them know that your destination. Each ticket at 2,700 won and takes 30 mins, 15 to 20 minutes interval.
From Seoul
There are express buses 4 times a day from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Damyang at 8.10 am, 11.10 am, 2.10 pm and 7.10 pm. Each one-way ticket ranged from 20,000 to 30,000 won and takes about 4 hours to reach.
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